How I Warm Up to Find My Swing (Pattern-First Routine)

I don’t play as much as I used to.

Most of my time goes into building this — which means when I do step in to record or perform, I don’t have the luxury of “finding it” over 200 balls.

I usually have about 10 minutes.

And the swing needs to be there.

So this is what I do — and more importantly, why it works.

Step 1: Make the Club Work (Not You)

My biggest tendency is simple:

Trying to force power.

Trying to muscle something that fundamentally can’t be muscled.

Because in a functional golf swing, you don’t create power by force —
you create it by allowing the pendulum of the club to work.

So I always start here.

Lead-Handed Swings

I hit a series of lead-handed shots.

This does a few things immediately:

  • Engages the body naturally
  • Removes the urge to overpower
  • Forces me to let the club move

You can’t fake it with one hand.

You either move correctly — or you don’t.

Trail-Handed Swings

Then I switch to trail-handed swings.

This targets my other tendency:

Handle dragging in the downswing

With only the trail hand:

  • Grip pressure has to release
  • The club has to pivot properly
  • I can’t drag the handle through impact

It’s a reset.

A way to clean up motion before adding complexity.

Step 2: Build the Motion (Without Caring About Results)

Now I go to both hands on the club.

I typically start with something like a 6-iron and make very controlled swings.

30–50% Swings

At this stage:

  • I’m not chasing results
  • I’m not chasing ball flight
  • I’m only feeling the clubhead move

Everything is about awareness.

Gradually Adding Speed

From there, I build up:

  • 50% → 70%
  • Letting the motion grow naturally

And here’s the key:

Because I’ve already done the hard work first,
this now feels easy.

There’s no need to force anything.

Step 3: Apply the Pattern

This is where everything becomes intentional.

I work with multiple swing patterns, so I choose the one I’m going to use for the session.

Then I begin applying power within that pattern.

Power First

In something like the Big Arc Swinger, I start by:

  • Adding speed in the downswing
  • Letting the club fully release
  • Not trying to control the outcome

This is still preparation.

Still calibration.

Then: Follow-Through Focus

Now I shift intention.

  • I focus on the follow-through
  • I start caring about the result
  • I simplify the motion mentally

I’ll hit a handful of shots like this — usually around five.

And during those swings, I’m not adding more thoughts.

I’m removing them.

Finding:

  • The feel
  • The perception
  • The one cue that holds it together

Now I’m Ready

That’s it.

No bucket sessions.
No searching.

Just:

  • Pattern
  • Power
  • Clarity

And I’m ready to go.

Final Thought

You don’t need to hit 200 balls before a round.

You don’t need to “find your swing” through volume.

You need to:

  • Know your pattern
  • Understand your power
  • Activate it efficiently

After that?

The rest is out of your hands.

That’s where the golf gods take over.

Swing Development for Real

If you’re serious about swing development, the best question you can ask yourself is this:

Which pattern fits you?

Take the quiz below. It only takes two minutes.

START THE JOURney – FIND YOUR OLD SChool PATTERN

Your inspirations and your subconscious view of the golf swing matter more than anything when it comes to making a lasting swing change. The goal is to find the pattern that fits you best. Take the quiz and check out the best choice for you below:

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